We were at the grocery store, the three of us, picking up a few things. As one does. An older gentleman stops my husband and asks if he can “borrow” me for a moment as he is supposed to pick up something for his wife but can’t find it.
J looks at me, I said Sure! and off I went. His wife, he said, had sent him to the store for heavy whipping cream. To be sure he was getting the right thing, I asked him what she was making. Whipped cream. Then at least he had the item name correct.
I walked over to the coolers with him and we found the heavy whipping cream. I showed him which carton to get and he thanked me profusely. He didn’t want to get the wrong thing and have to come back again after getting in “trouble” with his wife.
What that man didn’t know is that my husband and I both cook. I’m more of a baker than hubby is, for sure (although I don’t even do what I used to – I need a bigger kitchen), but we both cook. And my husband probably definitely knows his way around the kitchen better than I do.
I didn’t get offended when he asked my husband permission to get my help. Does that make me less of a feminist? I didn’t mind helping because I did actually know where the whipping cream was in the store. And I didn’t get upset when he assumed that I would be the one that bakes or cooks or shops for our family. He was just a man who needed some help.
More than once I’ve been amused at elderly gentlemen who mistakenly put me in a gender stereotype. They’re from a different time and different way of thinking. I don’t think we’ll change them. I just meet them where they are. And make a note to train my son differently.
photo copyright ME
I think that there is no reason at all to be upset over something like that! To me it is just natural reaction. I know that my boyfriend wouldn’t have any idea where to find it ha ha. I may be a bit old school but I think it would be silly to get man at a man for thinking you would know where whipped cream may be in the store.
Tina´s last blog ..Thank you Whoopi for finally asking the million dollar question!
Nah, not upset. Just thought it was funny. We all make assumptions about people we don’t know. I’m just trying harder to get past that & get to know someone rather than jumping to conclusions based on how they look.
And suddenly, I’m reminded of something that happened when I dressed up for Halloween a few years back. I’ll have to post about it later. Thanks Tina, you’ve actually given me another idea!
PS) Sorry that I’m just now getting to your comments. They got caught in Askimet.
I like the “and make a note to train my son differently” part.
Yeah, we’ll work on it.
Similarly, I’ve gotten past being offended at the racism displayed by some of the older generation in my family, because I really don’t think they’re going to change. Let’s just make sure we don’t pass it along.
Skye´s last blog ..I have become one of THOSE people
Absolutely. Here’s hoping we only pass along the good things.